Bill To Close “Schneider Loopholes” for Sexual Assault Filed

January 10, 2019
Thursday PM

(SitNews) Juneau, Alaska - Senate Bill 12 was pre-filed on Monday to eliminate the “Schneider Loopholes” in Alaska’s criminal code. The case of Justin Schneider, the man who served no prison time for brutally strangling a woman to the point of unconsciousness and then ejaculating on her, exposed some serious, long-standing shortcomings in laws dealing with sexual assault in Alaska.

Senate Bill 12 was pre-filed by Senator Peter Micciche (R-Soldotna). The 31st Alaska Legislature will convene on January 15, 2019.

“Last year, Alaskans were horrified to learn that a guilty violent sexual perpetrator, Justin Schneider, walked without adequate consequences,” said Sen. Micciche. “Serious crimes were ignored and an inappropriate plea deal allowed the perpetrator to serve a portion of the sentence of the single conviction at home with his family. In a state number one in the U.S. for sexual assault, we are making the statement that there will be ‘no more free passes’ for perpetrators of such crimes. SB 12 will clarify for the judicial system that Alaskans stand with victims, expect progress toward a significant reduction of violent sexual assaults in our communities and that violent sexual criminals will be held accountable.”

Quoting a news release, SB 12 will improve Alaska's sexual assault laws in three important ways. The bill will:

Classify unwanted contact with semen as a sexual crime, which means perpetrators can be required to register as sex offenders for this crime;

Require that strangulation to the point of unconsciousness is defined as assault in the first degree, which carries a sentence of 5 to 20 years; and

Eliminate credit toward time served for electronic monitoring for sexual assault convictions.

“In recent years, one outrageous story after another about criminals getting a slap on the wrist has dominated our headlines,” said Sen. Micciche. “The case of Justin Schneider, however, forced us to confront just how badly our criminal justice system has been failing victims and survivors of sexual assault. SB 12 represents an urgently needed fix to a glaring loophole, but it is only the beginning.”

“It is well past time that we conduct a thorough review of our criminal justice system, the repeal and replacement of SB 91, and how we prosecute domestic violence and sexual assault,” Sen. Micciche added. “I look forward to working with my colleagues in the legislature, and with Governor Dunleavy’s administration to ensure the safety of all Alaskans. It is time to stand up and say enough is enough; there will be no more free passes for violent perpetrators in Alaska.”

Editing by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

Alaska Senate Majority - Office of Sen. Micciche
www.akleg.gov

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